THE NHS is struggling to provide safe and effective care for all cancer patients, say senior doctors reports the BBC.

The Royal College of Radiologists is warning that all four UK nations are facing “chronic staff shortages”, with patients waiting too long for vital tests and treatments. 

Half of all cancer units are now reporting frequent delays for both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 

Ministers say a workforce strategy for the NHS in England is due shortly. 

The plan, which is meant to spell out how the government will plug staffing gaps over the next 15 years, has been repeatedly delayed, to the frustration of some in the health service. 

It comes as new figures show 22,533 patients in England were waiting more than two months for either cancer diagnosis or treatment at the end of April, up from 19,023 at the end of March. 

The wider NHS waiting list, which includes cancer and non-cancer treatment, also increased further to 7.4 million people, the highest number since records began in 2007. 

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65764755